Latest news with #InternationalWomen'sDayCelebration
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How Iowa colleges are navigating DEI opposition
DES MOINES, Iowa — Colleges across Iowa are navigating potential state and federal mandates that could impact their funding because of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. DEI programs and offices are facing opposition on both a federal and state level. Nationally, the United States Department of Education sent a letter in February warning academic institutions to remove DEI policies or risk funding cuts. Iowa Senate passes fix to last session's chronic absenteeism policy The letter was addressed by Craig Trainor, the department's Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. In it, he describes that DEI initiatives are discriminatory. He wrote, '[DEI initiatives] frequently preference certain racial groups and teach students that certain racial groups bear unique moral burdens that others do not.' He went on to say, 'They deny students the ability to participate fully in the life of a school.' The letter indicates that consequential funding cuts would be made within two weeks of that notification, however, no news of budget cuts to any academic institutions in the country has been reported yet. On a state level, three bills addressing DEI in academic institutions passed last week's funnel deadline. House File 855 addresses DEI in community schools. This bill bars community colleges from funding or maintaining DEI offices. This bill would add community colleges to the law passed last year, which banned DEI offices in state universities. House File 854 addresses DEI in private universities. This bill would prohibit private universities from opening, funding, or maintaining a DEI office if they want to participate in the Iowa Tuition Grant Program. House File 269 addresses DEI courses in public universities. This bill would bar any state university from requiring students to take diversity, equity, or inclusion courses for general education requirements. Despite there not being mandates yet, some colleges are already reacting. Grand View University cancelled its International Women's Day Celebration, which was scheduled to take place on Monday, March 10th. This would have been the third annual celebration. A spokesperson for the school provided this statement to WHO 13 News: 'Protecting our students' access to state and federal funding is a priority. The decision to cancel the International Women's Day event was made in light of orders and policy guidance from the federal government threatening to withhold federal funding for noncompliance and/or for any exclusionary programming. There is not yet a clear definition of 'DEI' or 'DEIA' from the federal government. Gender is often included in the definition of DEI/DEIA, so the event was cancelled out of an abundance of caution. A private, non-university sanctioned event is being held instead.' Kendall Dillon Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Grand View University Earlier this year, the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) sent a letter to employees informing them that they suspended DEI meetings and staff training, a spokesperson for the college confirmed to WHO 13 News. Education Department says 60 universities under investigation for antisemitism However, Grinnell College and Drake University both said there are no new mandates for them to act on yet. A spokesperson for Grinnell said: 'Grinnell College prohibits all unlawful discrimination. As such, the College's programs are open to all students, faculty, and staff and none are mandatory. As required by law, our work is focused on creating opportunity for everyone to see themselves reflected in the institution and prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or any other protected class. The College monitors state and federal law on an ongoing basis and maintains compliance with existing laws.' Ellen de GraffenreidGrinnell College Communications A spokesperson for Drake said: 'While we are paying close attention to the potential implications, at this time there is no established law for us to act on — either from the state or federal government.' Sue MattisonDrake University Provost As a result of the law previously mentioned that was passed last session banning state universities from maintaining a DEI office, the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa have all eliminated their DEI departments. One Iowa is a group advocating for LGBTQ Iowans. Its Director of Policy and Advocacy, Keenan Crow, said eliminating DEI departments and initiatives can have a negative impact on students. Crow said, 'Offices that used to provide support and staff for those folks to navigate the college system, those offices have all been deleted or they have been renamed and repurpose to the point where it's not apparent that's where those students need to go, and so again and again we're just chipping away at infrastructure that's meant to support students and increase their inclusivity in spaces that they have traditionally not been included in.' The second funnel deadline for Iowa's 91st General Assembly is April 4th. The three DEI bills will have to pass the Iowa Senate to stay active in this session. How Iowa colleges are navigating DEI opposition Iowa mom's remarkable impact on parents of kids with Down syndrome 'Abandoned by the State of Iowa': Vulnerable residents in Madison County speak out after home health program is cut Iowans head outdoors to enjoy sunny 70-degree weather Iowa Senate passes fix to last session's chronic absenteeism policy Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vendor market brings together women business owners
DES MOINES, Iowa — Women owned businesses gathered in downtown Des Moines during International Women's Day. More than ten women owned businesses gathered at Big Grove Brewery to showcase their work during the annual International Women's Day Vendor Market. Vendor's during the market were excited to share their stories and their work. Stephanie Majeran, with the Des Moines Craftmakers Collaborative, fell in love with yarn art a few years ago and was able to turn that love into a profit. 'I was just doing crafts with my daughter, and we were doing all these fun things, and I was playing around with some yarn I had, and I decided to try yarn hanging,' said Majeran. 'It was really fun, and I love the texture of yarn and the things I can do with it.' Britney Brown, Glitter Factory DSM Owner, started her business in November and wanted to bring ready to go crafts for people who are 'burnt out.' Women share their stories at Perry International Women's Day Celebration 'It's been amazing to be able to connect with people and help feed their mental health in ways that they hadn't anticipating needing,' said Brown. 'So, we just pop-up different types of crafts every week and you can come in and make whatever you want, or you can obsess and sit.' Kayli Nartatez, with Art Terrarium, enjoys sharing her love of plants with customers and seeing women owned business thrive. 'Our owner is a woman, the founder of the store is also a woman, we have a primarily female team,' said Nartatez. 'It's great being able to work for a woman owned small business and just really celebrate that.' Meri Deerr, an artist and bartender at Big Grove Brewery, got to share her art during the market and says it's awesome to bring her art into work. 'It's something I look forward to every year, it gives like an outlet for a lot of us smaller artists or smaller businesses to be able to get our stuff out on a different platform,' said Deerr. 'People come and go drink some beer, have some drinks, and being able to chat and connect with other women is really cool.' According to the Small Business Administration more than 43 percent of Iowa businesses are owned and operated by women. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Kate's 5 fun things to do in and around Waterloo region: March 7 to 9
It's the weekend at the start of March break and the weather is expected to warm up on Sunday, which makes it a good day to get outside. There's an International Women's Day Celebration in Guelph on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10C Shared Space on Carden Street that includes a drag show, poetry, dance performance, kids' activities and a mini-self-care workshop. The I Heart Tacos and Beer Festival runs at Bingemans on Friday night and there are two sessions on Saturday. Tickets are required. The Irish Real Life Festival also begins this weekend with an opening event Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kitchener city hall, marking the festival's 10th anniversary. There's also an online harp workshop on Saturday and music at The Boathouse in Kitchener on Sunday. It's a great weekend for local hockey. The Kitchener Rangers will host the Windsor Spitfires on Friday night while the Guelph Storm will take on the Sarnia Sting on home ice at the Sleeman Centre. Then on Sunday, Guelph heads to Kitchener for a battle between the local rivals. Puck drops at 2 p.m. at The Aud. The K-W Titans basketball team is on the road this weekend but they do have a mid-week March break game on Wednesday at home against the Sudbury Five. Don't forget we "spring forward" this weekend. Clocks go ahead one hour on Sunday. If you're driving, here are some local gas prices: Femme Folks Fest Saturday and Sunday Various locations in Kitchener and Waterloo This festival combines music, workshops, art installations and community events to celebrate equity and femme works. Saturday there's a clothing swap and a performance called Quartet for Garlic, Cello, Mouth and Telephone. On Sunday, there's a free workshop called Infrastructures for Survival and a performance where people are encouraged to get their feet involved in the music. The festival runs until March 16. Femme Folks Fest website Bee City Seedy Saturday Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. rare Eco Centre and Slit Barn at 768 Blair Road in Cambridge Bee City Cambridge and rare combine for this celebration of seeds and pollinators. There will be displays from local groups and businesses, a chance to learn about pollinator ecology and hear from rare gardeners. Food Festival Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stratford Rotary Complex, 353 McCarthy Rd., Stratford There are several local vendors at this food festival both inside and outside. Entry is by donation. Music Weekends in Downtown Guelph Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. This is the last weekend for this event. On Saturday, Ginger St. James will perform with the Plank Road Revelations at Red Papaya at 2 p.m. Sunday is the Satellite Collective Showcase but the location is still to be released. K-W Punk Rock Flea Market Saturday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Union, 124 Sydney St. S., Kitchener Lots of local vendors with unique items will be at this market, which will also feature acoustic performances.
